Morocco’s Private Health Sector Sees 80% Drop in Patients Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

"We only receive urgent cases and deliveries as well as patients who are undergoing dialysis sessions," the head of a group of clinics in Rabat told L’Économiste. "The care of cancer patients (chemotherapy, radiotherapy...) is provided by a few private clinics in the capital. There are establishments that are practically empty with barely 2 or 3 patients in intensive care compared to twenty before," he said.

According to him, this situation is explained by the lockdown, the lack of means of transport to move patients outside of Rabat. Yet these patients represent more than 50% of his clientele. The same situation is observed at the level of private practices.

"The visiting hours are scheduled in such a way as to have only two, or even 3 patients, one of whom is in the examination room with the doctor and one or two in the waiting room with the necessary distancing," explains Badeiaa Falky Zaki, president of the National Council of Medical Orders at the level of the Rabat Salé Kénitra region, the head of the Medical Association.

Meanwhile, some offices are deciding to close down. The head of the Medical Association says she has received 13 requests to close an office for health reasons.